Running Through Checkpoints - The Reality Of The Palestine Marathon
Recording from Ramallah after the Palestine Marathon, Matt sits down with Palestinian runner Ahmad Taher alongside Reem to unpack a race experience that goes far beyond performance. With multiple postponements and uncertainty around travel, the trip was only locked in seven days out, setting the tone for a week defined by unpredictability both on and off the course.
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Ahmad placed third on a brutally hilly course with around 550m of elevation gain, but the result came with mixed emotions after battling a pre-race cold and overthinking during the race. He shares how he nearly stepped off the course around 22km before regrouping to finish, reflecting on the mental side of racing in tough conditions.
The conversation goes deeper into Ahmad's journey, starting with the first Palestine Marathon in 2013 where he ran with minimal preparation, through to racing internationally in Spain, Barcelona, and Paris. He explains how the marathon itself was founded through the Right to Movement initiative, with a course that passes the Church of the Nativity, the separation wall, refugee camps, and military checkpoints - highlighting the realities of restricted movement in daily life.
Ahmad and Reem speak openly about what it's like training in Palestine, including encounters with soldiers, raids, tear gas, and the constant need to check news before heading out to run. Despite this, Ahmad remains committed to improving within Palestine, aiming toward the national marathon record of around 2:29 and targeting future races in Amman and San Sebastian.
They also reflect on the emotional moment of fellow runner Mohammed Alasi returning to competition to place second after 32 months in administrative detention, adding further weight to what this race represents beyond sport.
Topics:
00:00 - Welcome to Ramallah
01:03 - Last Minute Race Trip
03:15 - Ahmad Race Recap
03:39 - Hills and Head Games
08:16 - First Palestine Marathon
11:04 - Spain and Marathon Mania
12:53 - Training in Palestine
16:04 - Race Origins and Meaning
20:49 - Checkpoints and Daily Life
24:56 - Areas A B C Explained
26:55 - Running Under Occupation
28:37 - Guns on the Run
29:41 - Raids and Tear Gas
31:53 - Checking News for Safety
33:40 - Why Train in Palestine
37:19 - Friend Returns From Prison
41:56 - Life in a Refugee Camp
43:18 - Foreign Passports and Checkpoints
47:24 - Marathon Course Sabotage
48:56 - Coaching and Next Goals
51:13 - Records and Sweet Farewell
